Uncomfortable Visiting Home with Pets?

Joan Jerkovich - October 17, 2013 9:30 am

I’m uncomfortable visiting my girlfriend in her home because of her house pets. I hate it when her cats rub up against my slacks or paw at them because they leave cat hair and snags. Then, when I try to be friendly to her dog, it licks my hands leaving me feeling like I need to wash them. I hate this! What can I do besides not ever visit her in her home?

This is a tough one because your friend probably doesn’t have a clue that you feel this way, and she would probably feel bad if she did. People who have house pets consider them part of the family and can be every bit as emotionally attached to their pets as they are their human family members! Pets can bring such solace, comfort and joy to their owners it’s only natural for their owners to love and cherish their dear pets. Add to that, a pet will never criticize or judge them and is always happy to see them and its no wonder some people find their pets more enjoyable than their human counterparts!

Just as pet owners can have very clean homes with well-behaved indoor pets, the opposite can be true. Approach this from a practical point of view. If you do go visit your friend be prepared to wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little pet hair on, or tuck your hand sanitizer in your purse. Don’t feel that you have to interact with her pet. Owners are usually very attuned to guests who don’t want to interact with their pets and will accommodate you by steering them clear of you. If these methods don’t appeal to you and you just feel too uncomfortable, plan to meet your friend at the local coffee shop, and no, you don’t need to visit her in her home any more than you need to visit the home of your hoarder friend. I’ve seen those TV shows about the hoarders who sadly find their long lost pets petrified and buried beneath mounds of trash! Eeewww…

Embrace Your Personal Power with Life Coaching~

How important is it that you visit this friend in their home, such as, are they in poor health and can’t get out?

How might you momentarily endure some discomfort for the longer-lasting gains of friendship?

What are you willing to do, or not do, to honor your friendship while maintaining your own personal standards?